title: Laparoscopic appendectomy: a viable alternative approach.
abstract: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is relatively a new technique and requires comparison to open appendectomy (OA) to determine the more favorable approach in the surgical management of acute appendicitis. We designed this study to compare the course and postoperative complications between LA and OA. We reviewed the charts of both groups of patients and followed their course in the hospital. Seventy-seven patients who underwent LA with one conversion to the open technique (1.3%) were compared to 84 patients who underwent OA. There was no difference in age and sex distribution. The mean hospital stay was shorter in the LA (32.5+/-10 vs 74.2+/-24 h, p < 0.0001). Parenteral analgesia requirement was higher in the OA group (4.7+/-1.4 vs 2.6+/-2, p < 0.0001). The total cost was higher in the OA group ($11,260+/-4000 vs 7,090+/-3500, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the OR time, duration of the procedure, and surgery costs between both groups. Normal appendices removed were similar in both OA and LA groups (23.8 vs 28.9%). There was no difference in the rates of postoperative complications between both groups. We conclude that LA is a viable alternative to OA. It is safe, cost effective, and less invasive than the OA with less pain and shorter hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North Oakland Medical Centers, Pontiac, Michigan 48341, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazzal
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turfah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaidi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pleatman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics